Plan Porcupine Meadows Park northwest of Kamloops with wilderness wetlands, primitive trails, snowmobiling dates, horseback riding, no water, and lookout history.
Porcupine Meadows Park is at the southern end of the Bonaparte Plateau, about 40 kilometres northwest of Kamloops. BC Parks says the park is best accessed from the southeast via Watching Creek Forest Service Road.
The park protects undisturbed wetlands, wetland meadow complexes, and patches of old-growth forest.
Why Visit Porcupine Meadows Park
Porcupine Meadows is a self-sufficient wilderness park for visitors prepared for limited facilities, primitive trails, wildlife habitat, and winter travel. BC Parks says there are no roads, no camping or day-use facilities, and only a few trails within the park.
The park protects extensive subalpine wetlands and old-growth forests in the Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir dry, cold subzone. It is part of a system of six parks that help capture the biological diversity of the Northern Thompson Uplands Ecosection. The wetlands are important for sandhill cranes and provide summer habitat for moose and mule deer.
The ridge also has an old Ministry of Forest lookout tower, an 1828 Dominion Lands and Surveys marker, a historic pack trail from Pass Lake to Porcupine Ridge, and remnants of old Fruitlands Irrigation District trails around Carlo Lake.
Things To Do
Hike primitive unsigned trails with map-and-compass skills, watch for moose and sandhill cranes, ride horseback on designated trails, hunt during open seasons, snowshoe without maintained trails, and snowmobile only when permitted.
Planning Notes
Bring drinking water, navigation, emergency supplies, and a return plan shared with a responsible adult. Motorized vehicles are prohibited except snowmobiles in winter. Snowmobiling is allowed December 15 to April 15, though openings may be later for snowpack. No firewood or fire rings are provided.